The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye
Season	5
Episode	4
INFO
Aired	31 October 2001
Written by	Tom Kapinos
Directed by	Robbie McNeill
EPISODES
Previous	Capeside Revisited
Next	Use Your Disillusion

❝

Do not for one single second think that this is your fault, because it is not. your. fault

—Pacey to Dawson

The Long Goodbye is the 4th episode of Season 5 of Dawson's Creek.

Synopsis

CAPESIDE IN MOURNING — Lifelong friends Dawson (James Van Der Beek), Joey (Katie Holmes) and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) put past grudges behind them in the wake of the tragic death of one of their fathers. Along with Jack (Kerr Smith), Jen (Michelle Williams) and Grams (Mary Beth Peil), each tries to find the words and actions to comfort their friend.

Starring

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery Katie Holmes as Joey Potter Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee Mary Beth Peil as Evelyn Ryan Special Guest Stars John Wesley Shipp as Mitch Leery Mary-Margaret Humes as Gale Leery Nina Repeta as Bessie Potter Busy Philipps as Audrey Liddell

Guest starring Jodi Thelan as Susan Co-Starring Benjamin Scott Shelfer as Funeral Director Terrence Currier as Mr. Brennan Lia C. Long as Young Couple #1 Michael J. Long as Young Couple #2

Quotes

❝

You know, growing up, spending that time with you guys. I think I was too little to really understand it, but I always knew there was something special about the way you guys looked at each other. Like you were in on this great little secret that the rest of us weren't privy to, and my parents never had that, not even in the best of times. I'm not gonna sit here and try to pretend to know what was going through his mind before he died, but I know your husband loved you very much. You know, I know this probably doesn't mean much now, but he's not really gone, you know. 'Cause if ever there was someone who was an absolute reflection of his father, it's Dawson

—Joey to Gale

❝

You got your father for 18 years and that is a hell of a lot more than some people get and your father did one hell of a job Dawson. He made you into a man. He made you into a man that people care about and admire and respect and most importantly, love. So why am I doing this? I'm doing this because once upon a time, you and I were best friends and that means that whenever you need me, I'm here; anytime, anywhere, any place, forever

—Pacey to Dawson

❝

Gale – She'll never even know he existed

Dawson – Not if I have anything to do about it. She is going to hear about her daddy every chance I get

Locations

• Leery's Fresh Fish
• Dawson's House
• Potter B&B
• Joey and Audrey's Dorm
• Village Market
• Civilization
• Grams's Boston House

Trivia

• Several characters remember old memories they shared with Mitch
  • Dawson - his 12th birthday when his dad got him a video camera.
  • Joey - Mitch putting the ladder to Dawson's room up and saying that Dawson will figure it out sooner or later.
  • Gale - talking about what Dawson will be when he is older.
  • Pacey - helping him learn to drive.

BEHIND THE SCENES

• Kevin Williamson has watched the episode and was incredibly moved by it, and its tribute to the character of Mitch Leery.

BROADCAST

• The episode was watched by 4.48 million people upon its original airing on the WB.

Films

WATCHED

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REFERENCED

The Long Goodbye (1973)

1941 (1979)

Music

down here | LORI CARSON

dawson

ghost | EASTMOUNTAINSOUTH

funeral

ruth marie | MARK KOZELEK

dawson and joey

fallen angel | MICHAELA FOSTER MARSH

guests leave

fire and rain | JAMES TAYLOR

jen's song for dawson

Photos